Error: 'This account already exists' when adding Comcast account to Apple Mail on Mac

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Level 1

4 points

Error: 'This account already exists' when adding Comcast account to Apple Mail on Mac

I was having trouble getting my Comcast mail on my iPhone and iPad, initially. Then had the same issue on my Mac. I deleted the accounts on all 3 devices.

I've added the account back on the iPhone and iPad, but can't seem to add it on the Mac.

After selecting Other Mail Account on Choose a Mail account provider, and then entering my email and password, I keep getting an error: "This account already exists."

Any suggestions?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Getting error when adding Comcast account to apple mail on my Mac. Error: This account already exists".

Mac mini, macOS 15.6

Posted on Sep 16, 2025 09:33 AM

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Answer 1

John Galt

Level 10

153,700 points

Sep 16, 2025 04:28 PM in response to dherricks

First try this quick fix. Using System Settings sign out of your Apple Account (iCloud Account) on the Mac, and then attempt to add your Comcast email account again. Log back into your Apple Account. Be sure to read If you sign out of your Apple Account settings on Mac - Apple Support first.

If that doesn't help this older Discussion specifically mentions having trouble with Comcast: mail says "this account already exists" but it's nowhere to find - Apple Community. That link should take you directly to the relevant post. It could conceivably happen if your Apple Account email address = your Comcast email address.

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Answer 2

dherricks Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 17, 2025 08:39 AM in response to John Galt

John,

Thanks for the help. Neither was successful. The quick fix didn't work. Got the same error after Signing Out of my iCloud Account. (It actually created another problem, lost my Contacts on my Mac, but they are still on iCloud, so I'll figure that out.)

I looked at the other post, but I don't have the option of creating a faux email account on Comcast. The Comcast email I have dates back to the 90's. I no longer have any other Xfinity/Comcast service, so I don't have a Subscription of any kind with them. It seems that you have to have some kind of a subscription to add email accounts or to get any Support from them. I guess that makes sense.

So, I think the only other option is to change my Apple/iCloud Account ID to another email address. It doesn't look like it is very difficult, but can you tell me what the ramifications of that are? I think I have created some iCloud email addresses in the past, but I don't recall what they are. Is there a way to find them, or should I just create a new one and change my Apple/iCloud Account ID to that email address?

Thanks,

Dan

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